History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 80

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904. 4n
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 1438

USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 80
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 80
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 80

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

A contract for a new bridge was made with Thayer & Benton, of Springfield, Mass., in the spring of 1848, the price to be ten thousand dollars, of which seven thousand five hun- dred dollars was to be paid in cash, and the balance to be in bridge stock. An assess- ment of fifty per cent. was made to mect the cash payment, and soon after the work was commenced the contractors failed, and made an assignment of the material on hand to the com- pany. Joel C. Benton was employed to com- plete the bridge, and it was opened for travel in the winter of 1847-48. During the next spring this bridge also collapsed from structural weakness, and the New York span fell to the

shore, but was not carried away. Soon after- ward, the New York pier was rebuilt, and a new span was put in place by the company, which seemed to have had enough of contracts, and hired its men by the day, putting Elihu S. Page in charge of the work. This bridge, which had three piers, was opened in the winter of 1849-50. More trouble occurred in the spring of 1851, when the Pennsylvania span of the Benton bridge, which had been retained in re- building, fell of its own weight, and was car- ried away. Recourse to the ferry was once more had, and Bateman S. Mitchell took the helm. No move was made until 1854, when Webster Sutliff and Edward Bloomfield built the pres- ent Pennsylvania pier, using the material of the old middle pier, and swinging the stones across by means of an immense derrick. A contract was also made with Solon Chapin, of Easton, for building the two western spans, the eastern span, built by the company, being still stand- ing. This bridge was opened in 1854, and stood until the great flood of 1857, when the whole valley of the Delaware was swept by a fearful freshet. The ice, which had been un- usually thick, gorged at Cochecton Falls, and piled up to such a height that the bridge was lifted from the piers, and carried off when the gorge went out.

Once more Ferryman Mitchell and his flat- boat did duty, a wire-rope ferry being im- provised. Meanwhile steps were taken to se- cure another bridge. Many of the stockhold- ers had tired of the continual assessments to which they had been subjected, and agreed to assign their stock to those who were still willing to make further investment, provided a new bridge was opened for traffic within two years from November, 1858. Captain Eli Beach, who was a moving spirit in the project, secured this pledged stock, after some difficulty, and a contract was made with Solon Chapin to com- plete the present bridge by the 1st of Febru- ary, 1859. The terms were complied with, and the present structure, which is higher than any of its predecessors, was opened in due time. Since then it has but once given any trouble ; that was in 1872, when it was discovered that the middle span had settled somewhat, but the

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WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

necessary repairs were made without interrupt- ing travel.

GALILEE, which lies in the northern part of the township, was settled later than the middle and southern portions, the pioneers liere being the Conklins, Tylers and Keeslers of the second generation, and the Sutliffs, Rutledges and others. Already there is the nucleus of a fine village, with a church, post-office, smith, wheelwright-shop, a Grange hall and several stores and other buildings. The first post-office was established here in 1848, with Philip P. Brigham as postmaster. He served until 1869, when Joseph Sutliff succeeded him, and held office until 1871, when the post-office was abol- ished. Its re-establishment took place in July, 1884, and David W. Berry, the present incum- bent was appointed postmaster. The mail is tri-weekly.

A Methodist Episcopal Class was established in Galilee in 1840, with Joseph Sutliff as the first leader. The first members enrolled were Mr. and Mrs. P. P. Brigham, Mr. and Mrs. David Sutliff, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Brigham, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sutliff and Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Marks. About this time regular preach- ing was commenced, the supply being from the Beach Pond Circuit. The pastors who have served the congregation, with the order of their succession, are as follows : Rev. William Silsby, Rev. Barnes, George Porter, Charles Perkins, Young, Ferris, Erastus Smith, Morris Carrie, E. W. Breckenridge, Minor Swallow, Silas Barner, David Williams, Peter Clark, Charles White, C. E. Taylor, James Race, N. S. Reynolds, James Underwood, Joseph Angel, M. D. Fuller, A. W. Cooper, A. W. Loomis. In 1876 a church edifice, which cost about two thousand dollars, was erect- ed, the fund being raised by subscription, and ser- vice is held there regularly, t vice in three weeks. There is also a flourishing Sunday-school.

The early settlers about Galilee included some of the families concerning whom details have already been given. Webster Sutliff, seems to have been one of the first to make any industrial improvements. He built a saw-mill ou Galilec Brook, about 1825-26, the same one that is now owned by Joseph Sutliff.

The latter located in Galilee about 1835, and had six children. They were Polly (Mrs. Sim- eon Bush) ; Susan, the wife of James Monning- ton; Catherine, the wife of Albert Burton ; Joseph R .; Emily, the wife of L. F. Tyler ; and Anna V. (Mrs. Henry Hendricks).

David Sutliff came from New York about 1830, and settled on the Galilee and Damascus road, on the place he still occupies. His children are Joseph S., Hiran B., Olive (Mrs. D. W. Berry), Lyman K., Martha (Mrs. G. O. Hitchcock) and Mary (wife of George Wilmer).

Hiram Brigham was an early settler who came from New York State. George is his only surviving child.

Philip Brigham, a brother of Hiram, came from Oswego County in 1835, bringing with him a wife and child. His sons are James, A. S. and Orin W. Brigham, and Virgil, who was taken prisoner at Deep Bottom, and died with- in the Confederate lines. The only daughter is Francis, the wife of Julius Keesler. In 1883, Philip P. Brigham and David Sutliff both cele- brated their golden weddings, within two months of each other.

Calvin Marks, a son of Jacob Marks, of Conklin Hill, settled near Hiram Brigham. He had several sons, two of whom were killed in the Civil War. One son, Horace, still sur- vives. The Wilcoxes were also carly settlers, but all of the family are now dead or have moved elsewhere.

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. - Damascus Grange, No. 405, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized at Galilee in December, 1874, with the following officers : Master, Horatio Had- sall ; Overseer, Benjamin Lewis; Lecturer, Walter J. Bush; Secretary, Sophia E. Brig- ham ; Steward, Albert Marks ; Assistant Stew- ard, Frank Bush; Chaplain, Philip P. Brig- ham ; Gate-Keeper, Aaron S. Brigham ; Ceres, S. V. Brigham ; Flora, Sophia E. Bush ; Po- mona, Mary E. Keesler ; Lady Assistant, Aman- da Marks. The present membership of the Grange is about forty.

TYLER HILL is a pleasant village about three miles west of Damascus, which owes its first importance to the enterprise of Israel Tyler, who built a saw-mill on Woodruff Brook many

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WAYNE COUNTY.

years ago. In 1852, M. F. Van Kirk, now of Honesdale, who had been running an umbrella stiek factory at Seelyville, moved his machin- ery to Tyler Hill and located near the saw-mill, which had then fallen into deeay. He ereeted a substantial building to be used as the stick factory, and also rebuilt the saw-mill, which he used in getting out his lumber. He remained there for five years and then sold out to Tenyek Dupuy, who operated the business until 1872, when it was bought by Israel Tyler. The lat- ter gentleman had built a grist-mill on the site of the old saw-mill, in 1857-58, that had added mueh to the business of the place. The mill has three run of stone driven by an overshot wheel with eleven feet radius, and runs on eus- tom-work. Mr. Tyler also added a planing- mill to the saw-mill plant and otherwise im- proved the business, which was run in connection with his store at the village.

The store was started by William Fortnam in 1848, and was sold to John Mills and W. W. Tyler two years later. After a short time Israel Tyler seeured Mills' interest. Mr. Fortnam built a new store a little farther up the village abont this time, and shortly afterward it was bought up by Mr. Tyler. At the latter's death, his sons, M. and L. D. T'yler, succeeded to the business. They have sinee ereeted a fine store- room.

In 1875 a post-office was established at Tyler Hill, and William Fortnam was appointed the postmaster, which office lie still occupies. The village has several shops and other con- venienees, and preaching is occasionally held there in the school-house, although there is no organized congregation. Several of the residences are quite handsome, and all of the buildings display exeellent taste.

DARBYTOWN takes its name from N. S. Darby, who ran a tannery there for many years. The business was commenced by Charles and Webb Horton and George Knapp, who built the tan- nery in 1851-52, and ran it under the style of Horton & Co. for a few years. This firm also ran a store in connection with their business. They afterwards sold out to Mr. Darby, wlio operated the tannery until 1876, when the sup- ply of bark in the neighborhood was about

exhausted. There is nothing done in the plaee at present.

BRANNINGVILLE .- There is a pleasant and thickly-settled neighborhood about Branning- ville, which takes its name from John D. Bran- ning, who built a mill there in 1860. As early as 1830, David Guinnip eame from Narrows- burg and took up a tract of wild land there. In 1832 he built a saw-mill and commenced elearing up the fine timber lands that shut in the brook. At this time his nearest neighbors were the Calkinses, and most of the region for several miles around was densely covered with hemloek. The good price that lumber then commanded, and the ready market for bark af- forded by the tannery, twenty years later led to the rapid improvement of the lands, and the vicinity contained some of the best farms in the county.

The grist-mill which Mr. Branning built is now in the hands of O. R. Paeker, and does a good custom business. It has three run of stone and is driven by an overshot wheel with arms of ten feet radius. A store was formerly run in eonneetion with the mill, but this has been abandoned during the past few years. In February of the present year a post-office, known as Ateo, was established, and O. R. Packer was appointed postmaster. There is a prosperous sehool there, and twiee a month preaching is supplied from charges of the various denominations at Narrowsburg.

BOYD'S MILLS .- The settlement in the viein- ity of this hamlet owes its existence elliefly to sone mills that were built a short distance apart, some forty years ago. In 1843, Truman S. Tymmersou and Hiranı Willis erected a saw-mill which was known as " Tymmerson's Mill." It was operated by its founders until 1867, when Joseph Wood and Thomas Y. Boyd bought out the business and rebuilt the mill, with steam as a motive-power, shortly after. Mr. Wood died in 1877, and his partner sue- ceeded to the business, which has largely in- creased under his judicious management. The present eapacity of the mill is about twenty- five thousand feet per day, and a dozen men are employed at the works.

The post-office, which was then Eldred, was

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WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

established in 1837, with James Smith as the first postmaster. He served until 1846, and was succeeded by William Hartwell. The latter gave place to Willis Sherwood in 1850, and, two years later, Thomas Y. Boyd was ap- pointed and served until 1865. He was fol- lowed by John Comfort and Henry J. Lounds- berry, who each had the office for one year, and in 1867, William H. Tegler came in, remaining until 1869. Mr. Boyd was then reappointed and held office until September, 1874, when he gave place to John Orr, who served until June, 1882. During his term the name of the office was changed from Eldred to Boyd's Mills. Mr. Boyd was reappointed in 1882; C. P. Tegler, the present incumbent, in 1885.

In 1881 a grist-mill with one run of stone was built by Mr. Boyd, who also conducts a store and several other branches of business. In 1836 John Leonard built a saw and cider-mill on the north branch of Calkins' Creek, and operated it for ten years. It was then sold to Captain Eli Beach, and in 1850 passed into the hands of Wood & Boyd. In 1859 Isaac Love- lass purchased a half-interest, and acquired the entire ownership in 1880. William Crocker has a blacksmith and wagon factory near this mill.

The first store was established by Comfort & Godfrey, in the spring of 1858, in a building which stood on the site of the one now occu- pied by the commodions establishment of ex- County Commissioner C. P. Tegler.

Jabez Stearns, a son of Joseph Stearns, who was one of the earliest settlers in Mount Pleas- ant, took up a tract of land on the north side of the north branch of Calkins' Creek in the early part of this century. Under great dis- advantages he succeeded in obtaining a good education, and afterward devoted his energies to giving the same great boon to his children. There were six of these,-viz., David W., Polly, Harriett E., Laurette, Irene and Francis. Sev- eral of them afterward became identified with the educational interests of that and other sec- tions of the county.

William Hartwell moved from Hartford, Conn., in 1830, and settled about one mile north of Boyd's Mills. He was prominent both as the postmaster of the hamlet for several

years and as an active citizen. He died quite sud- denly in 1880. Mr. Hartwell was a county commissioner at the time of his death, and had been an energetic man who made his influence felt throughout the whole region. His finely- improved farm is now occupied by his son-in- law, J. S. Burcher.

On the farm of D. W. Wilcox, another of the pioneers of this section of the township, is the largest elm-tree in the county. Its height was, before it was prostrated by a severe storm on the 27th of June, 1876, one hundred and twenty-six feet ; its breadth at the top, eighty feet ; its circumference, three feet front the ground, twenty-four feet eight inches. A portion of the tree was hollow, and after it blew down much honey was found in the cavities. The trunk still remains where it fell, and bids fair to last a century.

Stephen Wood, who came from the eastern part of Connecticut, located near Eldred in 1837, and was an active pioneer. Joseph Wood, his son, is widely known as a leading lumber- man, and was a member of the firm of Wood & Boyd.

Hiram Willis and Truman Tymmerson came in about 1843, and took up lands here. Soon afterwards Tymmerson built the saw-mill, which gave the first name to the locality. Both have since moved to New York State.

James Smith settled near what was after- wards Tymmerson's Mills, in 1824, and, after clearing up a farm, went into the lumber busi- ness and erected a saw-mill in 1840, and be- came prominent in the early developments of the place. Hedied in 1858.

Loring P. Smith, a son of James, is exten- sively engaged in dairying and fruit-growing, and has an improved ridge-farm, a part of which he devotes to wool-growing, at which he lias been very successful. He was probably the first male child born in the vicinity.

Lewis Crocker came to this locality in 1858, and engaged in blacksmithing. He also cleared up a farm, in the centre of which stands the Union Church Mr. Crocker died in 1873, and his farm is now controlled by his son, Thomas J. Crocker, who is one of the most extensive horticulturists in the locality. His orchards

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contain all the leading varieties of fruit that will grow in this region, and he has done much to interest others in this profitable branch of farming. William H. Crocker, another son of Lewis, is also engaged in fruit-culture, as well as wool and stock-raising and dairying ; and William Eighney also gives much attention to these pursuits.

John Burcher, who, in his eightieth year, is still bright and active, settled here in 1820, and has reared a family of considerable size. Three of his sons-William, James and Titus -are now deceased, while John and Joseph oc- cupy farms near by.

Among the other prominent settlers were Alexander Roger, in 1833; Levi Little, in 1836; Miles Sherwood, in 1838 ; Alva Noble, in 1834; David Orr, in 1855; and many others.

THE UNION CHURCH at Eldred was erected in 1854, at a cost of about twenty-five hundred dollars, most of which fund was raised by sub- scription, so that there is little or no debt on the edifice. It is used, jointly, by three congre- gations,-the Presbyterian, the Methodist and the Baptist,-though there is no regular organ- ization of the latter faith. In connection with the church there is a well-kept cemetery, which, like the edifice, is used by all denomi- nations.

As early as 1842 there was a Presbyterian organization at Eldred, and, although it was not a special church, there was preaching every second or third Sunday, the pulpit being sup- plied from the Presbyterian Church at Cochec- ton, of which the congregation was then a branch. In September, 1857, Rev. Thomas Mack presided at a meeting which perfected the organization of the Presbyterian Church of Damascus. At that mecting James McArthur, Hiram Willis, John Orr and William McAr- thur were made ruling elders, and the follow- ing members were enrolled : James McArthur and Agnes, his wife, Margaret McArthur, Claudius McIntyre, Jane McIntyre, William McArthur and Nancy, his wife, Alexander McArthur and Ann, his wife, Hiram Willis and Elcanor, his wife, Caroline E. Pelton, John Lovelass, Jolın Orr, James Orr and Catherine,

his wife, Ann Lovelass, Eliza Orr and Wil- liam Lovelass.

Since the organization of the church the fol- lowing have been pastors : Thomas Mack, Erastus Seymour, Theron Brittain, George E. Northrup and Samuel Murdoch, the present pastor. Service is held every second or third Sunday in the month, and the church is a branch of the Presbyterian Church of Cochec- ton.

In connection with the Union Church is the Eldred Cemetery, a well laid-out plot, sur- rounded by a substantial stone wall, a hand- some iron gateway separating it from the main road. The grounds slope pleasantly to the eastward, and were first used as a denomina- tional burying-ground. The first interment was that of Margaret McArthur, July 8, 1858; the second, that of James Smith, on the 27th of August following. At present many monu- ments and well-lettered tomb-stones mark the resting-places of hundreds who have passed away.

One of the first schools in Eldred was the old block school-house, near where the Union Church now stands. It was built shortly after 1836, and Miss Emily Stearns was the first teacher. In 1850 the present school-house was built, and the attendance there has been stead- ily increasing.

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH .- The people of Damascus township, at Boyd's Mills, were attracted to the plea for primitive Christianity as presented by Orrin Noble, of Ohio, and Elder Z. W. Shepherd, of Providence, Lack- awanna County, Pa.

At different times during the years 1869 and 1871, which, together with a series of nieet- ings, held in October, 1872, by Elder L. B. Hyatt, of Lock Haven, assisted by N. P. Laurence, of Scranton, Pa., resulted in the immersion of Thomas J. Crocker, William H. Crocker, Florence Crocker, David Taylor, Mrs. David Taylor, William Garritt, Clark Wood, Homer C. Noble, Sarah Lovelass, Florence Lovelass and Lizzie Walker.

On behalf of the above-named persons, the hand of welcome was extended to Charles Bart- lett, Christopher C. Tegeler, Mrs. William H.

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WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

Tegeler, William Eighney, Mrs. William Eigh- ney, Charles B. Noble, Eliza Noble, William Noble and Abbie Skinner.

From time to time others were added, until at the present there are sixty-five members enrolled. The church has no house of its own, but worships in a Union Church building, in which the members share by contributions with the [general population of the neighbor- hood.

Elder C. W. Cooper, of Providence, Pa., after which it was without a regular pastor for some time.

The present pastor, Elder C. E. Wells, of Troy, N. Y., has been with the church four years. By his zeal the church is being strengthened and much good accomplished. Hence, the Christian Church here has a bright future before her.

Three of her former pastors-L. B. Hyatt,

Israel Ingles

This building is mentioned in another part [ of this volume.

The following gentlemen have served as pastors : Z. W. Shepherd, of Scranton, Pa., one year ; S. B. Hyatt, of Kingston, Pa., one year ; G. W. Headley, about one year ; J. J. Harvey, of Lewisburgh, Pa., two years; J. W. Low- ber, of Providence, Pa., two years ; Charles W. Cooper, of Providence, Pa., six months ; E. E. Orvis, of Scranton, Pa., one year; D. W. Kinter, of Stillwater, Columbia County, Pa., paid the church a few visits, accompanied by

J. J. Harvey and E. E. Orvis-have gone to their reward, together with several of the original members.

The church has suffered greatly from oppo- sition and religious intolerance, but she has carefully guarded against retaliation. This, together with the unanimity of her members, has maintained a steady increase in numbers and influence. Its present officers are C. E. Wells, pastor; William Eighney, Charles No- ble, elders; William H. Crocker, deacon ; Thomas J. Crocker, church clerk.

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WAYNE COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

ISRAEL TYLER.

Among the prominent families of Wayne County, whose representatives are descended from the early settlers, none has filled a more important place in the local annals of the county than the Tyler family. Bezaleel Tyler, the first of the name to come to this section, was from Connecticut, and the ancestor of the now numerous family of that name. His settlement was contemporaneous with that of the first settlers. He married Sarah Calkins, a member of another pioneer family, and had a large family of children, of whom fourteen attaincd to years of maturity, viz. : Hannah, Bezaleel, Sarah, Silas, Paul, Abigail, Timothy, Nathaniel, William, Charles, Mary, Rebecca, Zuriah and Amos. Of these, William was the father of Israel, to whom this sketch is chiefly dedicated.

He married Mary Monnington, and his chil- dren were Israel, Raymond, Alfred, Freeman, Sally (who married Cortland Skinner), Eliza (who married Kinney Skinner) and Emeline (wife of David Fortnam, of Tyler Hill).

The eldest son, Israel, was for many years one of the influential and prominent residents of Damascus township, and lived at Tyler Hill. There he engaged extensively in farming and lumbering, operated a saw-mill and planing- mill, and kept a general country store. No man in the township has borne a more promi- nent relation to its material development, nor sustained a higher representation for integrity and correct business methods. He was a warm supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Damascus village, and assisted in the erection of the church edifice at that place and the academy. He was no seeker after office, but led a simple, unostentatious life. He died in 1874, leaving his sons, Moses and Lorenzo D. Tyler, as his business successors. He married Lavina, daughter of Moses Tyler, a descendant of another branch of the same family.

CALVIN SKINNER.

The Skinner family is one of the oldest in Wayne County, and was early identified with

the settlement of the northern section lying along the Delaware River.

Joseph Skinner, the first settler, came from Connecticut and was one of the original pur- chasers of land from the Indians. His son, Daniel, was also one of the pioneers of Damas- cus township, and called his plantation on the river, St. Tammany, where he passed his days in farming pursuits and in lumbering, running the first raft that ever went down the Delaware River to Philadelphia.

His son Nathan was the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, and married Sarah, daughter of Oliver and grand-daughter of John Calkins, one of the original Connecticut settlers, who lo- cated on the New York side of the river, oppo- site Damascus. The mother of Sarah Calkins was a sister of Moses Thomas, who was killed at the battle of Lackawaxen. After residing on the old Calkins homestead for a number of years, Nathan Skinner removed to the neigh- borhood of Milanville, Damascus township, Wayne County, where he passed the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits, and lumber- ing. He was for many years a justice of the peace, and a man of character and influence. He was also the first settled surveyor of Wayne County, and held a captain's commission in the State militia. His brother Reuben was the first justice of the peace commissioned in Wayne County.

Colonel Calvin Skinner, who is the oldest living native-born citizen of Wayne County, was born November 15, 1799, on his grand- father Daniel's farm, in Damascus township. His early life was passed in attendance at the district schools, where his education was ob- tained, and in assisting his father in his farm- ing and lumbering occupations. At the early age of twelve years he accompanied a raft, la- den with lumber, to Philadelphia, and from that time until 1861, a period of fifty years, went regularly each year down the Delaware, on a similar mission. Abont 1820 his father removed to Cochecton, and Colonel Skinner re- mained on the farm at Milanville, where he still resides in a house built by his father in 1815. He has led an active and industrious life, characterized by the strictest integrity, and

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History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 80

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904. 4n Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co. Number of Pages: 1438

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904. 4n
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 1438